What is a Silkie Chicken - Why Get a Silkie Chicken - The Silkie Chicken Saga

Updated on February 1, 2015

It happens all the time! It's the same conversation, and not the same. You see my husband is the logical one, and me, well, let's just say, I'm the dreamer. You might say I’m the more frivolous one. I’ll say something like, “I think it would be neat to….”, or “I want ….”, or “Why don’t we…?” And he responds with, “Why would we want to do that ?”, or “What would you do with that ?” The emphasis is always on the word “that”. My response generally amounts to four little words, “It would be neat!” By this time you can already guess where the conversation is heading, and I’m thinking to myself, “Why is ‘neat’ not good enough? Why does everything always have to be so logical?” In my world, it doesn’t.

Source

Let's Be Logical About This

Which brings us to the matter at hand – the silkie. I’m trying to decide what chickens would work best on our homestead, and on the list that I share with my husband is the silkie. His first question was, “What is a silkie?” So I call a picture up on my trusty computer and show it to him. Now a silkie looks like a walking, breathing feather duster. So his response is, “Why would you want that?” Again emphasis is on the word “that”, and this time “that” was a silkie.

My response was anything but logical. “It’s so cute! It makes me smile! It would just be neat to have around, and I bet it’s really soft.” I can tell you that those comments really won him over to my side of the fence – NOT! But since I will be the one placing the order, who knows what’ll happen. One might just get slipped in “accidentally”. (You can smile now. I am.)

How can you look at him and not smile? I dare you!

He thinks the conversation is over – that he’s made his point, and that’s that. But that’s way too logical for me. My gears are still turning, preparing for the next influx of illogical reasons to hurl his way. He probably knows it’s coming, but he hopes I’ll be a little more logical about this. After all, we are talking about homesteading, and that means a lot of really hard work. Why would we have anything as illogical as a silkie?

But here we go again… “That’s exactly right. It’s because everything is so hard, that sometimes you just need something to help you kick back and smile - something to make the day a little easier, a little brighter.” I say this while pointing to a really silly looking bird on my computer screen. “How could you look at him and not smile?”

He’s trying not to smile while looking at this silly looking bird, and still have a logical answer. But he has to concede to the fact that that silly looking bird would make you smile. But now it’s back to being logical. Looking at all those fluffy feathers he says, “He would always be dirty and could never get out in the weather. He'd be dirty all the time.” Now I get to respond with a logical answer! “It’s a chicken! It’s been in the weather before!” Let him argue with that one.

Of course, Mr. Logical has a quick answer for me. “He just wouldn’t work on a homestead. It’s so small; it wouldn’t be any good for meat. And I bet its eggs are really small too. Why not just get a normal chicken?” Little does he know, that my list of mostly Heritage breeds, does not contain very many normal chickens. But I digress. Back to the matter at hand.

Inwardly, I groan. I want to say, “But a normal chicken isn’t this cute. A normal chicken isn’t this soft." Then finishing with a little more emphasis, "A normal chicken doesn’t make me smile like a silkie does.” But I know better. Those are not the logical arguments that will win him over. I know from 30 plus years of experience that those statements would pretty much nail the coffin shut on this conversation.

Isn't it interesting how culture affects what we are willing to eat, or not eat?

Silkie chickens have a dark blue-black meat and skin. | Source

Oops!

Again the gears are turning… But unfortunately they took a wrong turn. During my research on chickens, and silkies in particular, I found that the skin and meat under all those feathers is black, and is considered a delicacy in some countries. Now I’m just itching to share this little tidbit with him. We really enjoy sharing new information with each other, and this was definitely something that I figured he did not know. I finish my sharing with, “… but I don’t know if I could eat meat that looked like that.”

That was all it took. My statement was too close to logical and he dove into it. “So, I say again, why would you want to have it on a homestead if you’re not willing to eat it?”

Darn! I was too logical for my own good. So I retreat, waiting for a more opportune day and time to be the illogical person once again.

Silkie Chicken Facts: A Furry Chicken"Silkie Bantam Chickens are an incredibly unique breed of chicken, adorned with more fancy features than any other breed." ... silkies certainly have the ability to enchant.

What is a Turken or Turkin? A Naked Neck ChickenThis breed, also known as the Transylvanian Naked Neck, was first bred in Hungary, and later perfected in Germany. Contrary to what some folks believe, the Naked Neck is 100% chicken-not a cross between turkey and chicken.

This breed, also known as the Transylvanian Naked Neck, was first bred in Hungary, and later perfected in Germany. Contrary to what some folks believe, the Naked Neck is 100% chicken-not a cross between turkey and...

Oh my God! I'm seeing the first of it. Its so cute and people should take care in a proper way...

homesteadbound 5 years ago from Texas Author

They are really cute. One of these days I will come up with an illogical reason to get one that my husband will logically have to accept! Thanks for the comment

Aquatic Guru 5 years ago from Goodspring, Tennessee

Now that is an interesting chicken! I think it would be neat to have some of those myself!

homesteadbound 5 years ago from Texas Author

Thank you, Aquatic Guru. Just remember that they have to live above water! :>) Thanks for the comment.

J.S.Matthew 5 years ago from Massachusetts, USA

I like your use of language and style. You use dialogue brilliantly, as not to become boring. This is a wonderful Hub! I never heard of a "silkie" but I have to admit, they are cute! Great job here! Keep up the good work!

JSMatthew~

homesteadbound 5 years ago from Texas Author

Thanks, J.S. Matthew. Coming from you, that is quite a compliment. The saga does continue in a hub I just finished this morning. I put it together this afternoon. You might enjoy it also.

jodiejay71 5 years ago

The cute little chickie looks like, as you stated, a feather duster! Too cute to eat, though...grab it by the back, shake it and then dust the blinds! Just kidding.

You do write good articles, dear Cindy!

homesteadbound 5 years ago from Texas Author

jodiejay71, thank you for your comments. They are cute little things.

Admiral_Joraxx 5 years ago from Philippines

Hey homesteadbound, this is another great piece! I never heard about this creature but it really looks fabulous. I right away thought of having this kind of chicken at home. It's really wonderful. I just wonder do this kinds of chicken fight? like for cock fighting?, you know, they just look so immaculate to be such relentless in battle. Great wonder hub! I voted up, useful, funny, awesome and interesting!

Ardie 5 years ago from Neverland

I adore silky chickens. I keep trying to talk my husband into having a chicken farm (we have 15 acres) but he refuses.

ktrapp 5 years ago from Illinois

Before I ever started reading your words I was already smiling and thinking "how cute is that chicken." I have never heard of a silkie and I can certainly understand why you would want one; it really does make you smile.

homesteadbound 5 years ago from Texas Author

Admiral_Joraxx - this breed of chicken is very gentle and is often keep as a pet. These cute little guys are not used in cock fighting. Thanks for the votes and for stopping by!

homesteadbound 5 years ago from Texas Author

Ardie - Those silkie chickens ... they are cutie pies for sure. A chicken farm ... hummmmm ... all silkies?

I'm trying to talk mine into a goat dairy today ... tomorrow just might be something else ... we don't have the land yet, so I can dream about anything and dream about it being anywhere. Now that I look at it like that, maybe it'll be a vineyard in Greece or a Pineapple plantation in Hawaii. Might as well dream big! Thanks for stopping by and commmenting.

Ardie 5 years ago from Neverland

Oooh, probably only one or two silkies - so we could have silky babies :) Seriously though, I'd love to have some chickens AND goats. We have the room for them, just not the time yet. With three kids and work and school and sports I'd worry they would get neglected. Maybe one day when the children are old enough to care for the animals with us!

homesteadbound 5 years ago from Texas Author

ktrapp - They really are cute. And they look like they have personality to. But chickens can be amusing to watch anyway. you ought to go look at the silkie chickens in color hub. Lots of great pictures there. thanks for stopping by!

homesteadbound 5 years ago from Texas Author

Ardie - Silkies are a smaller chicken, but they make very good mothers. They like to sit on eggs, anyone's eggs, but can't brood as many as a normal chicken. But they are often kept for this purpose.

I think you are wise waiting until you are ready and have the time to dedicate to the animals. Take goats for instance, if you have dairy goats, they have to be milked twice a day or it affects their health. If their bag gets too full and tight, blood vessels can start breaking, opening them up to infection. Not a good thing.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope we both get to have our dreams some day. Until then, I will continue to study and prepare. This last week I went to a homesteading class that was 3 intensive days. I am even more fired up. Blessings to you.

stephaniedas 5 years ago from Miami, US

Wow, this chicken is really cute and adorable. I bet that its incredibly soft. I once bought a skinny chicken for $5 and carried her around with me for a few days. I really bonded to her! She was soft and warm and very gentle, and began to follow me every where I went. I ate her eggs, but I would never dream of eating her. She became my pet. I'm waiting for the day when I can bring chickens into my home again. They are funny and watch and oddly cute in their own way. If your husband is anything like my significant other, he will balk at the idea of the silkie chicken, and then fall in love with it once you bring it home. Keep pushing!

manthy 5 years ago from Alabama,USA

Forget logic for a moment and just get one.

It is ok to be impulsive occassionally ;0)

I learned something new about you from this hub and it can also be said about me - WE are both dreamers ;0)

Dream Big

I voted this up and intersting

Manthy

homesteadbound 5 years ago from Texas Author

stephaniedas - yes a really cute walking breathing feather duster. Sounds like you had a really good experience with your adventure of having a pet chicken. And yes, they are funny and cute. Thanks for cheering me on in my fight for the silkie. Thanks for stopping by!

rosettaartist1 5 years ago from United Kingdom

They're very cute chickens.

homesteadbound 5 years ago from Texas Author

rosettaartist1 - I agree with you whole heartedly 100% and all that stuff! What more can I say!

ThoughtSandwiches 5 years ago from Reno, Nevada

homestead...

You fought the good Silkie chicken fight...and I was smiling...the whole time I read this Hub...I couldn't help but feel that they are something Creative Voice would like to play with!

Black meat, huh? Still...too cute for eating by far...

Thomas

PS...I will probably link this one as well!

homesteadbound 5 years ago from Texas Author

Thomas - I did fight the good fight, but I still smile when I read this hub. My husband will eventually have to succumb, or I will continue to fight the good Silkie chicken fight!!!

Link away

by the way.

couldn't help the rhyme

it just happens, everytime

Okay, slapping my self out of it!!!

thougtforce 5 years ago from Sweden

Logical or not, they are the sweetest chicken! I had chickens when I lived out in the countryside but for no logical reason at all:) I just had them like you say "to make me smile". I didn't have any Silkie but instead I had Faverolle! A totally illogical chicken with

plenty of fluffy white feathers on body and legs and they also have five toes! I hope you find a way to get Silkies and I loved reading this hub!

Tina

homesteadbound 5 years ago from Texas Author

thoughtforce - thanks for stopping by and talking about my silkies. I would like to have one some day, no matter how illogical it seems.

Thanks and blessings to you!

Brett.Tesol 4 years ago from Somewhere in Asia

I love your writing style! Your argument with your husband and the thought process behind it made me laugh so much, as I'm sure there are many couples that can relate to this.

I hope you got a silkie, as although I had never heard of these before, they are pretty cool looking birds.

Thanks for SHARING!

homesteadbound 4 years ago from Texas Author

Brett.Tesol - I hope there are many couples that can relate and that they are as happy as we are. Thanks so much!

AudreyHowitt 4 years ago from California

Interesting chicken!! Sharing!

MoiraCrochets 4 years ago from Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines

Wow, your chickens have fur! Wish I have one!

homesteadbound 4 years ago from Texas Author

AudreyHowitt - I just love the silkie chickens. They are indeed interesting. Thanks so much for stopping by!

I want one for a pet! I don't think I could ever eat those adorable little, furry creatures. I'd wanna bling his beak, stick chicken glasses on it and take it for a walk! I love it! Voted up!

homesteadbound 4 years ago from Texas Author

Lisa - I love silkie chickens also. But I don't think I will be able to talk my practical husband into it. They really are cute, and it isn't like I want to have one in the house with my three cats and two dogs, but... a pet chicken outside in a coop would not be too much to ask, would it?

Ladyscarletthawk 23 months ago

We'll for one silkies will make you happy, and a happy wife makes for a happy husband.. Two they ARE small and don't require much feed and space.. Most importantly they are living breathing incubators/brooders!!! If you are homesteading , a hen's broodiness is not at the top of your list after reading about the top ten homesteading breeds. You want to be natural and wish to free range, what's more natural than allowing a hen to raise chicks. By your own findings silkies could care less who the eggs belong to as long as she fulfills her self imposed destiny! You're bound to eat some of your stock and need to replenish so placing some fertilized eggs with a broody silkie or five lol should work! Besides you want birds for eggs and meat why not one very small breed to keep your farm self sustained with hatched naturally hatched and raised chicks? You'll have the control over which birds raise your chicks from which pairs and a little survival of the fittest insures a stronger flock IMO.. Good luck and hopefully you get a silkie.. or five!

homesteadbound 23 months ago from Texas Author

One day I hope to ... I just keep telling myself that it will happen, Ladyscarletthawk.